Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Writ Denied: Judge Keller frustrated from futility of frivolous filings

The Supreme Court of Texas denied Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller's writ asking that they vacate the public warning lodged against her by the State Judicial Conduct Commission. See the Austin Statesman and Jeff Gamso for more. Then on the last possible day (yesterday) Keller requested that the SCOT appoint three judge to hear her appeal of the Commission's warning. Gamso remarks that the whole affair is:
kind of like how she describes those death penalty appeals of which she's so derisive.  You know, frivolous filing after frivolous filing after frivolous filing. There are two differences, though.

  1. Keller's filings now really are frivolous.
  2. There's essentially nothing at stake here.
Here's Keller's letter (pdf, via the Texas Tribune) requesting either a trial de novo or an "appellate-like review based on the the trial record," declaring that "Judge Keller wishes to avail herself of her right to oppose the Commission's unconstitutional behavior in whatever forum you deem appropriate. She frankly does not know what that is, and is frustrated by the fact that it is the Commission's unconstitutional Order which has created this conundrum."

What in the world is an "appellate-like review"? Who knows? At this point, everyone seems to be just making it up as they go along. The whole episode has long ago descended from tragedy to farce. I don't know what Judge Keller thinks she gains by dragging this out, much less going through another public trial to protest what amounts to a meaningless wrist slap, but she's either suffering from extreme hubris or receiving really terrible advice. Most likely both.

6 comments:

Robert Langham said...

Let her experience the stupidity of an entrenched bureaucracy. She certainly inflicted it on others.

Alex S said...

Et tu Brute

Des said...

Tell her the court is closed.

Hook Em Horns said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hook Em Horns said...

Like sand through the hourglass....

Debbie Russell said...

I assume she filed this before 5pm? :p

A judge defending herself preemptively ruled that the Commission's wrist-slap was "unconstitutional behavior" and hopes SCOT will be compelled by that? Truly sad.